Facing Dual Threat Axis Forces Fall Back In Libya

Northern Advocate, 21 November 1941, Page 5

Facing Dual Threat Axis Forces Fall Back In Libya

(Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 20. lINDER CONSTANT HAMMERING FROM THE R.A.F. AND U HARASSED BY THE NAVY, THE GERMANS AND ITALIANS ARE FALLING BACK ALONG THE COASTAL ROADS IN LIBYA. They face a dual threat, namely, a British turning movement from the region of Sidi Omar driving to Tobruk and cutting off the Axis forces in the coastal areas, and a drive from Jarabub in the direction of El Agheila to cut off supplies and prevent retreat to Tripoli. British forces crossed the frontier at Sheferzen, 10 miles south of Sidi Omar, permitting them to by-pass strongly fortified frontier positions from the coast to Sidi Omar. a fairly good road runs westward to El Gubbi, which is unlikely to be seriously affected by rain. The road runs also from Jarabub to El Agheila. It is in the south that the British initial advance is faster than last year’s, largely owing to British supremacy in no man’s land.

Earlier Phase A communique from Cairo states that Imperial forces under General Sir Alan Cunningham, who has taken over command of the Bth Army, supported by the Royal Air Force under Air Vice-Marshal Arthur Coningham, began the advance into Libya at the first light of dawn on Tuesday from the coast east of Solium to Jarabub, while pressure was rapidly exerted on the Axis forces holding' defensive positions from Hellfire Pass to Sidi Omar. ( So skilfully had our fighting troops been insinuated into their occupation areas, and so good were the arrangements for deception and camouflage, coupled with the support of the air force, that enemy observation and interference from the air prior to and during the advance on Tuesday were negligible. Italians Retreating Already By the evening, when it was raining heavily, our forces had penetrated over 50 miles into enemy territory, little or no opposition being encountered. The first reports from the Western Desert state that the offensive surprised the enemy. Two armoured German divisions are spread along the coast between Tobruk and Bardia, and an Italian division is in a position south of Tobruk. The Italians are already retiring. The enemy were caught in dispersed areas with their formations scattered. Pressure is being exerted on the enemy’s defence lines south of the strategic Hellfire Pass. Sandstorm, Deluge A violent sandstorm swiried across the desert as the British tanks began to advance, smothering them from sight, and even the gun flashes could not be seen. This was followed by cloud bursts, which brought the rain down in sheets and turned the desert into a quagmire. Water was knee-deep in places. A large section of an enemy armoured division was spotted from the air, badly bogged, and Maryland aircraft bombed it and caused widespread damage. A message from Cairo early today stated that some Germans had already been taken prisoner, and that the Mediterranean Fleet has bombaided Hellfire Pass and Solium. Wavell’s Tactics Followed Precise details of the advance are not yet available, but the communique indicates a wide encircling movement almost exactly paralleling General Wavell’s drive of last year. The advance is continuing, the land forces having strong air and naval support. A powerful British armoured force is seeking battle with a German Panzer division in an unrevealed locality. The attacking force is the most formidable Britain has yet thrown against the Axis, says the correspondent of the “New York Times," and its officers are confident. The London correspondent of this paper says the main battle is not yet joined, but is expected to begin shortly along the line Solium, Hellfiro-Sidi Omar. It will be the biggest BritishGerman battle of the war. Reuter's correspondent with the imperial Army says British units predominate in the troops taking part in the advance, the proportion of Dominion troops being smaller than previously.